SA Libs promise special autism school

THE Liberal Opposition has pledged to set up a school specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder if elected next month.

Leader Isobel Redmond announced this morning the party would establish a school staffed and designed to "meet the needs" of those children while also putting resources towards special needs children who remain in mainstream schools.

She said there was great demand from parents, who had been lobbying the government for such a solution.

"One in every 160 children aged six to 12 suffers with an ASD making it the most common form of disability for children in Australia," Ms Redmond said.

"There is a desperate need in SA for more ASD-specific education services providing a range of alternative options."